Nick Ball has emerged as one of British boxing’s leading champions, defending his WBA world featherweight title following a scintillating performance against American contender Ronny Rios.
On Saturday, the 27-year-old returned to his home town, Liverpool, where he floored his gallant opponent three times before securing a destructive tenth-round stoppage.
His homecoming arrived following two outings in Saudi Arabia where, earlier this year, the Brit boxed his way to a controversial draw against WBC champion Rey Vargas.
Without being deterred by his first attempt at world honors, though, Ball was able to claim his WBA trinket by outpointing skilful technician Raymond Ford back in June.
And now, it seems as though the exciting talent has a handful of lucrative options to consider.
Nick Ball calls out Ray Vargas and entertains clash with Naoya Inoue
While Ball insists that he has unfinished business with Vargas, believing that he could land a unification with the seasoned Mexican, he also knows that a potential showdown with Naoya Inoue would trump any other matchup.
The Japanese sensation looks set to defend his undisputed super bantamweight crown against IBF mandatory challenger Sam Goodman in December.
But still, should the 31-year-old choose to move up in weight, a dustup between Inoue and Ball would almost certainly deliver fireworks.
“I need a shot at Vargas because that’s my belt,” Ball told BoxingScene. “I should have it on this other shoulder but it’s coming. Everything happens for a reason so only time will tell.
“[And] everyone is going on about Inoue’s name, aren’t they? He’s a super bantamweight – there isn’t any super bantamweights calling him out. But obviously, if he comes up to my weight, I’m going to show him who the man is at this weight.
“Of course, I’d fight him 100 percent. He’s a quality fighter and everyone is speaking about us fighting, so of course I would.”
Junto Nakatani to leapfrog Nick Ball in a bid to secure Naoya Inoue fight
While Ball remains a viable opponent for Inoue, the pound-for-pound star, equally, has a comprehensive list of formidable challengers to take care of first.
WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani, for instance, has been mooted as a frontrunner to face Inoue – should he get past Goodman, of course.
What is more, WBA mandatory challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev has demanded a shot at the pulverizing puncher for the most part of this year.
And so, it would seem that Inoue may be compelled to take care of his mandatory duties before facing the likes of Nakatani and Ball.